About Breast Lift
A Breast Lift (Mastopexy) is a cosmetic procedure that elevates the breast by removing excess skin, reshaping it, and contouring the surrounding tissues like a push-up bra. Many women experience deflation of the breasts or a downward movement of the nipple and areola after pregnancy and breastfeeding or after weight loss. A breast lift helps restore the shape of the breasts after these changes.
A breast lift does not change the breast volume. It tightens the tissues around the breast tissue to lift it and contour the breast tissues into a better shape. During your consultation with AJ Plastic Surgery Centre, we will discuss different lift types with their scars.
We will also discuss the difference between breast lift alone vs. breast lift with implants. Patients that are unhappy with a previous breast lift surgery performed by another surgeon, may be interested in a breast revision procedure instead.
- Before Procedure
- During Procedure
- Results & Recovery
Good to Know Before Procedure in Kenya
In your consultation, we will determine what skin incision will be best to accomplish your desired result. We will help diagram the breast lift surgery and show you what your final scars will be. In general, most patients’ scars fade over time resulting in more youthful, better-shaped breasts. Most AJ Plastic Surgery Centre patients are EXTREMELY happy with the results of their mastopexy. It is a joy for us to hear how our patients no longer feel embarrassed when out of their push-up bras.
The breast lift raises and tightens the breast tissue and lifts and reshapes and resizes the nipple and areola. The breast implant will increase volume and fullness. The type of lift and the type of lift scar will depend on your anatomy, especially the degree to which your breasts need to be lifted as well as the implant you choose. As a general rule, the more skin and more lift you need, the longer the scar. Breast lifting is also associated with breast reduction procedures.
What Happens During Breast Lift Procedure?
For your comfort and safety, breast lift will be performed under general anesthesia. We believe that every part of the surgical team is essential to having a perfect and smooth surgery so every part of our extended team is focused during surgery and pays attention to every detail.
We will all ensure that as you enter the operating room and are gently placed under anesthesia you will feel relaxed and calm and excited. During the operation we will all be focused on keeping you warm, comfortable, and cared for. During the surgery, we are gentle and respectful and ensure a positive and calm environment around you. We will also place a numbing solution in your breasts so you will not feel pain even though you are under anesthesia.
The surgery may take 3 to 6 hours depending on complexity, anatomy, and incision. The lift will be marked in the pre-operative area and we will review all the incisions with you prior to surgery. The lift will be performed where excess skin is removed and then contoured to create a lifted, perkier shape.
As part of the lift the areola will also be lifted and re-sized. The lift incision may be either around the areola only, a lollipop incision which is around the areola and then a vertical line from the areola to the breast crease, or an anchor incision which is around the areola, a vertical line from the areola to the breast crease and a line in the breast crease.
The final incision closure is done precisely and meticulously to create the best possible scar. We take extreme pride in our attention to detail with every single step of this surgery.
Recovery & Results: What to Expect
At AJ Plastic Surgery Centre, we have developed a special breast lift technique that has minimal pain and a quick recovery. You will feel tightness and some soreness in the breast area and there will be swelling for about a month after a breast lift. It takes a full 4-6 months for the tissues to settle and to see the final results. If you do have discomfort after breast lift, Tylenol is usually all that’s needed.
We will measure and provide a supportive bra that you will wear for 2 months after surgery. You will also need to minimize arm movement for about 2 weeks after surgery. Most of AJ Plastic Surgery Centre patients feel almost back to normal around 1 week after their breast lift surgery. Moderate exercise such as walking or stationary biking is allowed two weeks after a breast lift. Vigorous exercise such as jogging, or aerobics may be resumed in 4 weeks after surgery.
Depending on what your work duties are, you will most likely be able to return to work within a few days, but you will need to avoid any strenuous activity for at least a couple of weeks.
We will discuss scar care and you will start scar treatments around 2 weeks after breast lift surgery. We will also provide you with scar medications and products.
Overall, AJ Plastic Surgery Centre mastopexy patients are some of the happiest patients after their breast lift surgery. They no longer need to wear a push-up bra, they can exercise easier and fit better in their clothing. For patients who breastfed or lost a lot of volume after significant weight loss, they feel that this surgery restored their shape.